Composite laser mast released

Exactly. Maybe top masts have been the thing stopping them all from ripping out.

I bow to your greater knowledge. When my Tonic mast pot ripped out it was down to lack of structural integrity, so the next one got wrapped before it went.

I'm not sure if I believe it, but I've heard the opinion that the problem with top masts is actually modern aluminium (or is it aluminum?) is stiffer than when the Laser was conceived.
Specs of materials creep over time.
I have put put a bt of bend in my mast. Wasn't there when I bought it! The most stress it has seen is probably stuffing the boat into the back of a wave, I haven't even capsized yet!, and I don't use lots of kicker.

Originally posted by Rupert Chris, while you are correct that many of the top sailors won't be selecting gear, there are also documented examples of those who will measure mast rake, weigh topmasts, etc. But the vast majority of Laser sailors aren't in either camp, or even doing local open meetings. They are sailing in their club handicap fleet on a Sunday and on a Wednesday night. Some won't even be aware that the Laser is an Olympic class, let alone that a plastic topmast is now allowed. Be interesting to see the reaction at clubs when the first ones filter down to our level.

Edited by Chris 249 - 08 Dec 16 at 9:48pm

It used to be corrosion on the rivet hole and then the mast cracking along the line of it. You put the thing under a lot of tension on that rivet and it was rather unfortunate that it was always the upper one that went, which meant that the jagged edge came out of the collar and ripped the luff tube to add insult to injury, Why they didn't have the upper one at the back, cos that would have negated the issue a little.